Overtime with Mike Adams

The AgriTalk broadcast is done for today, but the conversation continues. AgriTalk host Mike Adams shares his thoughts and opinions on the news of the week and invites your feedback.

Despite Progress, Horse Processing Not Returning Soon

Jul 01, 2013

For those who have been anxiously awaiting the return of horse processing in this country the announcement last week of government approval was long overdue. For those opposed to resumption of horse processing the news was alarming. In reality, nothing much has changed as the plant in New Mexico is still not open and it’s unclear when or if it will be. USDA says it could take up to three weeks to send inspectors to New Mexico. That’s a long time even with flight delays! Obviously USDA isn’t in any hurry to resume horse processing. They’ve known this was coming and have had plenty of time to train and prepare inspectors and budgets. Litigation, real and threatened, continues to slow the process and even plant representatives seem less than optimistic they will be open for business very soon. I recently heard a representative of PETA complain this would cause horses to be trucked hundreds of miles in poor conditions to destinations where they would be inhumanely treated. Actually that sounds like a description of what is happening now as unwanted horses are shipped to Mexico or Canada for slaughter without USDA inspectors or regulations. I can understand people not wanting to eat horse meat or that can’t bear the thought of horses being slaughtered but to allow these animals to starve to death seems much worse. It’s bad enough that our government won’t do its job and pass needed legislation now they seem unwilling to enforce the ones they already have.